Nikos Stampolidis, Director of the Acropolis Museum, reviewed Greece's ongoing request for the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures by highlighting that this was as much a global wish as it was a national one.
In an interview with Alpha Radio, he emphasized that it is an ethical and fair request on Greece's part. That the issue is intergovernmental and that the return the Parthenon Sculptures to the Acropolis Museum, has always been made for all of humanity.
Commenting on the statements also made by the UK's Minister of Culture, Michelle Donelan, that the UK will not support the return of these sculptures, and that the British Museum cannot divest itself of any of the artefacts it holds without a law change, which she added was not going to happen. Mr. Stampolidis pointed out that such statements made are usually made by those that have a short time in their post.
(*the UK has had many Secretaries of Culture, since 2010, there have been 11 over this 12 year period, and that includes the current Culture Secretary, Michelle Donelan)
He also noted the high percentage of British people supporting the return of these sculptures to Greece.
He stressed that the Parthenon's sculptures are a unique case and the monument restorations, because the Parthenon has withstood 2,500 years on the Acropolis.
He then referred to UNESCO's unanimous decisions taken during the ICPRCP meetings in 2021 and 2022. (* Greece has worked tirelessly on this front for over a decade.) He also noted, that those that say "world museums" will be empty should the marbles be returned to Greece, are unable to quantify this claim.
He went on to point out during his interview that Italy returned the Fagan fragment without any conditions, passing the ownerships entirely to the Greek state. The same is happening with the fragments that were in the possession of the Vatican Museums, expected to join the rest of the sculptures of the Parthenon at the Acropolis Museum this spring.
When asked if he has personally spoken with the Chair of the British Museum, Mr. Osborne (the director is Hartwig Fisher), Nikos Stampolidis pointed out that a great deal of what had been reported in the Greek and other nations media had not properly informed readers, that news had been turned into propaganda.
In concluding the interview Nikos Stampolidis said that the Parthenon Sculptures will be able to return to Greece.
(*we sincerely support that thought)
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